American Psycho (DVD)

Hitherto watching this film adaptation of the highly esteemed novel by Bret Eastin Ellis I had preconceived idea of it's content. I foresaw a film in which violence and horror would be excessive, like a typical horror movie such as 'The Candyman' or 'Scream'. To my surprise I found the violence and content was not excessive but absolutely relevant to the plot, necessary for the characterisation of the main protagonist Patrick Bateman. Patrick Bateman ...
...Bale was not originally casted for the role, however he plays the role of the 'psycho' extraordinarily well. Bateman, who is portrayed as a narcissist and serial killer, is a corporate crony by day, but as night falls he becomes obsessed with violence. His character is epitomised very well in one the opening scenes, in this scene Bateman is going through his morning 'routine', this consists of excessive attention to detail and his love of branded ...

hijameswilhelm 27.09.2008 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

...be on Bateman’s case. American Psycho is based on the book of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. On its release, the book caused huge controversy, due to its graphic descriptions of depraved acts of murder and sexual violence. Although the film is violent and bloody, much of the actual violence is depicted by implication only. We see Patrick wielding an axe above someone’s head, and then seconds later covered in blood. This movie is not, however, ...
...unpleasant murderous acts and sexual violence. One scene, early on in the movie, where Bateman murders a homeless man’s dog is particularly upsetting, but other scenes are almost comical, for example as a naked Patrick chases a prostitute down the stairs wielding a chainsaw, fuelled by his recent viewing of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. I struggled, at times, with the point of this movie and it left me with more questions than answers. My interpretation ...

Pumpkin 05.05.2004 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

Ok so when I first saw this film I hadn’t read the book or heard of the film before. I've decided to review the book separately as I thought they were really quite different. Bale plays the said Psycho - Patrick Bateman a man obsessed with all of the things that was bad about the 1980's. Money and status is everything. Whether it’s having a better apartment or suit than your friends, right down to who has the classiest looking business ...
...crucial to Bateman and to a lesser extent, to his peers too. That's the premise for the film. Status is everything, the sadistic way he murders his victims doesn’t really matter. Bateman works on Wall Street and is extremely frustrated that he doesn’t really stand out from anyone else in his social circle. They are all eating in the same places, going to the same clubs and snorting copious amounts of Coke. In fact, the only way he can ...

SarkeBeeley 22.10.2005 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

When the novel American Psycho was published a few years ago, there was an awful lot of publicity surrounding the release of the book, condemning the writing as disturbing, and socially irresponsible. Certainly, a colleague of mine was reading the novel and described some very horrific scenes. It came as a something of a surprise to me therefore when a film version was made and released to cinema audiences. The film certainly does not contain anywhere ...
...you should be aware that American Psycho is an unsettling and often disturbing film. Christian Bale plays the lead role Patrick Bateman. Set in New York during the eighties, Bateman is shown as a typical yuppie. He lives in a plush apartment; is obsessed with his appearance; spends all his time wining and dining with colleagues and friends and essentially leads a completely materialistic life. Except Patrick Bateman is not like his colleagues - ...

LostWitness 06.05.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

...upon a novel written by American writer Bret Easton Ellis. It was published in 1991, and it was promptly slated and criticised for it’s graphic violence and dark undertones. But as with all things in life it also had great acclaim in certain quarters, as it depicts typical life in the extremely materialistic decade of the 1980’s. Yuppies, mobile phones, cocaine and the like. The decade where it wasn’t so much who you were as opposed ...
...day illness. ~~THE PLOT~~ The film is presented in a first person monologue format. For those of you who have seen “Fight Club” you will understand what I am referring to. No Edward Norton this time. In his place we have one Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale). Bateman is a typical 80’s icon. Successful, ruthless, suave and intelligent. He works in the New York Stock Exchange, drives around in a limousine, has membership ...

paulc20001 15.01.2002 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

I have long been a big fan of Bret Easton Ellis’s cult book of the same name. I looked forward to the release of this flick more than any other film in the last year. I was intrigued to see how they could possibly convert such a disturbing and at the same time witty novel onto the screen. Then, as usual with most major adaptations, the rumour mill started up to speculate who would take the lead role of Patrick Bateman, the egotistical Jeckyl ...
...it looked likely that the lady boy would get it but thankfully they came to their senses and plumped for a far more convincing actor in Christian Bale. With the highly respected Mary Harron in the director’s chair it looked promising to actually get a reasonably close transfer onto the screen. So I sat back and waited. •The Film Patrick Bateman seems like your run-of-the-mill 80’s New York yuppie. He has it all, a high paying ...

Slim_Lee 06.03.2001 (16.03.2001) · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

...at the height of materialism; American Psycho serves up a black comic insight into the yuppie lifestyle of the time, mixing both satire and suspense to create an enjoyable if slightly disturbing movie. The film begins with an amusing look at the morning routine of the films lead character and occasional narrator, Patrick Bateman, which consists largely of an excessive use of cosmetic products (eye pad, skin cleanser, skin moisturizer, facial mask, ...
...twenty-somethings who are living the American dream, huge pay checks, designer clothes, good-looks, beautiful fiancé (Reese Witherspoon) and a seemingly golden future. However as Patrick admits to us he is literally an empty suit, for all his preening, dynamic and exciting social life and enviable personal possessions he is totally empty inside. This is perhaps highlighted by the fact that Bateman is often confused with another member of the firm, ...

Mercury 23.01.2001 (24.01.2001) · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

American Psycho first drew my attention when it was a work of fiction in the library. The book was very well laid out and included a very descriptive 1st person storytelling. The book was very interesting because it had it's variation from violence and it's introduction to the lifestyles and the dark side of the rich and famous. This book showed very aspect of the incredibly wealthy. When the movie came out I couldn't wait to see it. Though the ...
...But I mean it's called American Psycho people! It's not called "hi I'm the PG-13 killer and I think I'll only kill people who deserve it with non violent weapons" it just doesn't work like that. This is a Horror movie not a Disney movie. The only problem with this movie the ending. Most people I've spoken to, think he was dreaming or something. I on the other hand do not think so. I believe all the actions of the last 15 minutes are all in reality. ...

rawduu 23.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

I have long been a big fan of Bret Easton Ellis’s cult book of the same name. I looked forward to the release of this flick more than any other film in the last year. I was intrigued to see how they could possibly convert such a disturbing and at the same time witty novel onto the screen. Then, as usual with most major adaptations, the rumour mill started up to speculate who would take the lead role of Patrick Bateman, the egotistical Jeckyl ...
...it looked likely that the lady boy would get it but thankfully they came to their senses and plumped for a far more convincing actor in Christian Bale. With the highly respected Mary Harron in the director’s chair it looked promising to actually get a reasonably close transfer onto the screen. So I sat back and waited. The Film ---------- Patrick Bateman seems like your run-of-the-mill 80’s New York yuppie. He has it all, a high paying ...

rushed 12.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

Mary Harron's intelligent adaptation is much funnier than Brett Easton Ellis' controversial novel, and manages to capture the essential ambience of the book without relying on gross-out schlock horror tactics. The ultra-violence is completely toned down in favour of a more subtle approach, and the most effective scenes are frequently not the ones featuring Patrick Bateman's nocturnal chainsaw frenzies, but instead those concerned with the banal, ...
...Street in the 1980s. In this respect it's something of a period piece, employing 80s trappings such as absurdly chunky mobile phones, decidedly suspect hairstyles and Hugo Boss power suits.The ability to secure a reservation at the latest exclusive restaurant is the benchmark by which these characters are judged. Essentially it's as much a satire on the materialistic ethos of the decade as it is a study of terminal psychological disintegration. Christian ...

maxshreck 25.03.2002 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

American Psycho is a film about 1980's materialism, set on Wall Street amongst a group of rich trader/business tycoons. (The precise job description never arises, but we know the type.) It follows the events surrounding Patrick Bateman and his group of so called friends. All they ever do, is go to trendy retraunts, try to out do each other on who is the best groomed, dressed etc. Most amusingly of all, there is business card war, who has the best? ...
...what is going on, do people ever connect anymore, he wants and needs more. His girlfriend is an emotional criple, who just wants money and the fancy life. So he turns to murder, the sick kind, chopping people up, shooting people in the street, stabbing the homeless and abusing hookers. The film certainly is gory and shocking in places, with graphic depictions of the result of decapatation. What frustrates Patrick more than ever, is that nobody ...

KingHerrod 14.01.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

...the audacious task of turning American Psycho from unfilmable book to watchable cinema. That two women should want to be involved with the project surprised many, since much of the violence in Ellis' prose is directed at the female of the species, often in unsparing detail. In fact, though this is indeed the case, it's the fairer sex who contribute to central character Patrick Bateman's perceived psychological humiliation and impotence. They are ...
...all times. American Psycho is a character study within a darkly humurous satire of the go-getting Yuppie generation that reached its apex in the latter half of the Eighties. Inflating every aspect to an almost comical level, it witheringly portrays the shallow greed and spiritual bankruptcy while exposing these loathsome caricatures hell-bent on personal gain. Admittedly, there is nothing particularly new or original about such *revelations*, yet ...

EnglishPatient 10.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

When the novel was published a few years ago, there was an awful lot of publicity surrounding the release of such a shocking and graphically detailed book. It condemmed the book as disturbing and socially irresponsible. Having had afriend describe in obscene detail some of the horrific scenes, it came as a suprise when I heard that the novel was being re-invented as a film. After seeing the film I found that it had been softened to some extent and ...
...of graphical detail in the scenes of violence and slaughter as was expected. Much of the masacre in the film is suggested rather than portrayed through visual images of graphic detail. Patrick Bateman, the central character, lives in an expensive apartment in New York and is essentially materialistic, going out wining and dining most nights. He is also, subversively, filled with psychopatic instincts as a result of suppressing his anger for a long ...

spikey8689 12.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

...great stories and the book American Psycho is a great literary experience NOT a great story. The themes, dialogue and subtext of American psycho exist on the page and do translate on to the screen. You will cringe as the audience laugh at the wrong bits - as scenes are lost or amalgamated and when you overhear people's confusion and misinterpretations as they leave the cinema. You have to have a slightly dark and twisted sense of humor to get Patrick ...
...* The novel * American psycho was a very extreme and violent novel that was also infact due to its content the most 'controversial' piece of literature ever produced. But what the director has done, she has basically 'toned' down the graphic nature of the book and converted it into a materialistic and worldly psychopath killer: The 80's Wall Street greed. From watching this film it gives out the strong message that there can be a Patrick Bateman ...

super_stevo 13.04.2004 · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)

OK, so what can I say that hasn’t already been said about this very controversial film adaptation of the great book? Firstly, I think that the film does not live up to the book by any means. Instead of being an inspired satire on 80’s materialism with startlingly gruesome murders juxtaposed with the most embarrassingly erotic literature; it ends up as a very dark comedy which isn’t very funny at all. It does have a very good performance ...
...attitude and frailties; and Willem Dafoe does well as the strange private investigator. The rest of the cast however, are not bad, they just don’t feature much and they don’t make much of an impression. However, this is quite obviously a book adaptation and I can see how many viewers will be baffled by the strange direction the plot takes. It fails in this respect because the plot doesn’t actually go anywhere which, while not too ...

flod 10.02.2001 (11.02.2001) · Read full review
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Review of American Psycho (DVD)